Help Paying for Medicare

Less than half of those who qualify for financial assistance with Medicare actually sign up.

If you have limited income and assets, you may qualify for help with medical costs for care you receive under Medicare. Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, TTY 1-800-325-0778, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday. You can also call your state Medical Assistance, the Medicaid office or the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) where you live.

Less than half of those who qualify for financial assistance with Medicare actually sign up.

If you have limited income and assets, you may qualify for help with medical costs for care you receive under Medicare. Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, TTY 1-800-325-0778, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday. You can also call your state Medical Assistance, the Medicaid office or the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) where you live.

Less than half of those who qualify for financial assistance with Medicare actually sign up.

If you have limited income and assets, you may qualify for help with medical costs for care you receive under Medicare. Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, TTY 1-800-325-0778, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday. You can also call your state Medical Assistance, the Medicaid office or the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) where you live.

Many of those who may qualify for financial assistance with Medicare never sign up.

If you have limited income and assets, you may qualify for help with medical costs for care you receive under Medicare. Contact Social Security toll-free at 1-800-772-1213, TTY 1-800-325-0778, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday. You can also call your state Medical Assistance, the Medicaid office or the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) where you live.

Don't hesitate to apply for help with paying Medicare premiums and other costs.

Here are a few of the programs you can look into if you need financial assistance.

Medicaid helps pay costs not covered by Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). It may also include some added benefits that Original Medicare doesn't cover, including prescription drugs, eye care or long-term care.

The Medicare Savings Program helps you pay your Original Medicare premiums, deductibles and coinsurance.

Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) combines medical, social and long-term care services for people over the age of 55 who qualify. This program is not available in all states.

Other programs may be available in your state, such as State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAP).

Are you eligible for financial assistance?

Whether you are eligible for financial assistance depends on your income. Your income includes money you get from retirement benefits or other money that you report for tax purposes. It also includes your assets (for example, property other than your house). The income eligibility levels vary by state and program. In 2017, the income eligibility average was close to $18,090 a year for an individual or $24,360 for a couple.

Want to learn more?

Contact Social Security toll-free at 1-800-772-1213, TTY 1-800-325-0778, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday, or call your state Health Insurance Assistance Program or Medicaid office. You can also get more answers by calling a UnitedHealthcare® representative toll-free at 1-877-596-3258, TTY 711, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, seven days a week.

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Medicaid

A medical assistance program for certain individuals and families with limited incomes and resources. Medicaid is jointly funded by the federal and state governments and managed by the states. It includes programs that help pay Medicare premiums and cost-sharing.

Extra Help

A Medicare program that helps people with limited income and resources pay for Medicare prescription drug plan costs, such as premiums, deductibles and coinsurance.